May 25, 2007 — The UCI has learnt of the confessions of the former riders of the German Telekom team, Erik Zabel, Rolf Aldag and Bjarne Riis, adding to those of two doctors from the same squad and three other team-mates from the same era.

The confessions from Germany and Denmark show that people are now ready to speak out. This is extremely positive. The UCI urges all other riders who have doped and any other people involved in encouraging doping, anywhere in the world, to speak out too.

The law of silence no longer applies — each person must now assume the full consequences of their actions.

With regards to the confession of Bjarne Riis, winner of the 1996 Tour de France, despite the time limits for sanctions established by the World Anti-Doping Code having elapsed, the UCI urges the former rider to return his yellow jersey, the symbol of his victory.

The events of recent months have not happened by chance. The cycling world is changing and the UCI, as in the case of Operación Puerto, is very proactive, using all means available to it to put pressure on those implicated.

According to Pat McQuaid, UCI President: “Cycling has come to a major turning point today. Although the past and the present may confront us with difficult issues, there is now a strong desire among the majority of people in the cycling world to change things. Cycling is currently in a crucial period of self-criticism, a necessary step if we are to move on to a healthier situation. The process under way must lead us to a new kind of cycle sport, with a new spirit among the riders, managers, directeurs sportifs and team doctors who have learned from the all-too-often negative experiences of the past. I am very optimistic and urge all those involved in our sport to co-operate.”

While acknowledging the unfortunate effects of the ongoing situation for the sponsors, the UCI thanks the sponsors for supporting these efforts.